The Soryu class boats are significantly larger than OyashiosClass. Furthermore these submarines have a larger displacement than any previous Japanese submarines. Submarines have hydrodynamic design and are fitted with anechoic coating. Interior also has sound isolation of loud components.

Theses vessels are powered by a Swedish Stirling air-independent propulsion system. The Soryu is significantly larger than Oyashio class boats, in order to incorporate this propulsion system. This system is license-produced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It allows to stay submerged for longer periods of time without surfacing to charge the batteries. Submerged endurance is increased from days to weeks.

It also enhanced vessel's stealth and operational capabilities.

Weapon systems

The Soryu Class is fitted with six HU-606 533mm torpedo tubes for Type 89 torpedoes and UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The Harpoon has a range of over 124km and speed of 864km/h.Type 89 is a wire-guided torpedo with active and passive homing modes. It has a maximum speed of 130km/h and can engage targets within the range of 50km. The torpedo can carry a warhead of 267kg.

Sensors / radars

The submarine is equipped with a ZPS-6F navigation or surface search radar. The sonar suite integrates four low frequency flank arrays, a bow-array and a towed array sonar.

The oficial depth of this sub, is publicized as 500 meters, notwithstanding that the technicalInformation as to what depth to fire a torpedo, reported as 900 meters of depth. This info is ritually classificated and not necessarily confirmed to the public.

Secrecy ... The Japanese are refusing to share vital information about the Soryu Class submarine with Australia. Picture: Supplied. Source: SuppliedJAPAN has been accused of refusing to share vital performance details about its top-secret Soryu Class submarines with Australian officials.Australia has asked Japanese officials to provide critical information about stealth, power and combat system integration issues for the 4200-tonne boat considered front runner in the race to be the Navy’s future submarine, but Japan has so far declined to provide access to the information.

Despite Australia asking Japan to provide vital data about the stealth, power and combat system integration issues of the Soryu Class submarines — which are set to replace the ageing Collins Class submarines (above) — Japan has kept silent.

News Corporation also understands that the government’s 2015 Defence White Paper — due out by June — explores cutting the number of submarines from 12 to eight, with an option for two more and a budget well below $20 billion.

The 2009 White Paper included a requirement for 12 boats, but defence sources have argued strongly that the Royal Australian Navy could not crew that number of submarines.The first one or two boats will be built overseas by the successful bidder with the rest to be assembled at ASC in Adelaide — which will likely be split and absorbed by the successful bidder — under a rolling schedule.

Japan has promised that the first two boats could be delivered within three years.Mr Abbott threw open the doors for a competition on the weekend when he said Australian firms could bid.Yesterday he ruled out any secret deal with Japan to buy its boats.He said Australia wanted the best possible submarines at the best possible price to replace the ageing Collins Class fleet.

“There are no secret deals,” Mr Abbott said.A spokesman for Defence Minister Kevin Andrews said the decision on a design partner and construction of the submarines will be based on a competitive evaluation process that takes fully into account capability requirements, cost, schedule, technical risk and value for money considerations.“Any Australian company that can credibly meet these criteria will be considered on merit, as will potential international partners,” the spokesman said.He did not address a specific question about issues with the Japanese negotiations.The most likely solution appears to be a competitive evaluation process between Japan, Germany, France and Sweden.Two options would be selected to fight it out in a competitive tender for the nation’s biggest ever defence project.The most crucial element of its military “crown jewels” that Japan is unwilling to share with anyone is how the Soryu boats can cruise submerged at 20 knots with virtually no noise signature.Stealth is a submarine’s greatest weapon and the Soryu is thought to be the most stealthy diesel powered submarine ever built.

The second area of concern is the boat’s propulsion system and exactly how it can provide an operating life of almost double that of the Collins Class boats.“Without that information we cannot go with the Japanese option,” a defence source told News Corp.The third area of concern is the integration of a US combat system and weapons into the Japanese hull.The final hurdle is the perceived lack of security at the ASC shipyard in Adelaide and Australia in general.“The Japanese are far better at security than we are,” a senior source said.It is understood that Japanese officials pointed to an Australian TV documentary on the Collins boats that clearly revealed the subs’ noise signature.German ministers and senior corporate executives are in Canberra this week pushing hard for German firm ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and its (yet to be built) type 216 boat.It is understood that navy officers have been told not to engage at all with the German delegation.South Australian officials have pushed hard for Australian involvement in both the build and through-life support phase which will account for about 60 per cent of the project’s total outlays.South Australian Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith welcomed the move toa competitive process.

It should be noted that in 2007, India had launched Project 75I, which was aimed at replacing its aging fleet with new foreign vessels. After repeated delays, the plan eventually obtained its second wind under the new Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. It is expected, that the six diesel-electric submarines will be built in India, in compliance with the popular "Make in India" initiative.

The Modi Cabinet, which plans to put the project out to tender, has reportedly forwarded a proposal to Japan to "consider the possibility" of building its Soryu-class submarines in India on condition that Japan "will form a joint venture with an Indian shipyard," the Diplomat points out.

The National Interest emphasizes that Tokyo is "especially keen on breaking into the global submarine market." The American media outlet stresses that Soryu-class submarines made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation have a number of competitive advantages, citing Robert Farley, the TNI's (Transnational Institute) contributor:"At 4,200 tons submerged, the Soryu-class is considerably larger than either the [German] Type 214, [French] Scorpene, or improved [Russian] Kilo, and can carry a much heavier weapons load.

This size also makes them quieter and longer-ranged than the other boats on the market. At current price expectations of around $500 million, the Soryus are not wildly more expensive than the other boats."

The National Interest also notes that Australia and Japan have recently been discussing a program aimed at the sale and purchase of 12 diesel-electric Soryu-class vessels.

The Times of India underscores that the United States "has been pushing for greater defense cooperation among India, Japan and Australia" in order to counterbalance China's growing military power in the Asia-Pacific region and especially the South China Sea, which has long been the subject of fierce territorial disputes between Beijing and its neighbors. Experts stress that the United States is interested in preventing close cooperation between Eurasia's BRICS members, particularly China and India, that could diminish the influence of the West in the region.

TOKYO, -- The 6th Soryu-class SSK, SS-506 Kokuryu, (meaning Black Dragon) was commissioned into service with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard in Kobe on March 9th.

The Soryu Class diesel-electric submarines are being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Ten Soryu Class submarines are planned for the JMSDF. The class is an improved version of the Oyashio Class submarine.

The keel for the first submarine in the class, Soryu (SS-501), was laid down in March 2005. It was launched in December 2007 and commissioned in March 2009. Unryu (SS-502) was laid down in March 2006, launched in October 2008 and commissioned in March 2010. Hakuryu (SS-503) was laid down in February 2007 and launched in October 2009 for commissioning in March 2011. The fourth and fifth submarines under construction are scheduled to be commissioned in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

SS-506 Kokuryu was laid down 21 January 2013, launched 31 October 2013 and commissioned 9 March 2015.

Japan’s Two Soryu Class Submarine For The Philippines Now ConsideredDefense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin confirmed that a defense wishlist is already in the hands of Japanese defense officials. The list consists military equipmentMANILALIVEWIRE.COM

abs-cbnNEWS.comPosted at 05/12/2011 3:48 PMMANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy is planning to purchase its first ever submarine.

In a phone patch, Navy Philippine Fleet spokesman Lt. Rommel Rodriguez told reporters that experts are now meeting with international counterparts to assess the plan’s feasibility.

He said the Navy may acquire the submarine not later than 2020, depending on the political and administrative atmosphere.

"Right now, there are studies that are being undertaken. There are researches right now that involves submarine," Rodriguez said. He noted the study, conducted by the fleet’s office of plans and programs under Lt. Cmdr. Merlito Martinez, is upon orders from Rear Admiral Jose Luis Alano.

Rodriguez, however, noted that purchasing one would require billions of dollars.

"But since the Navy is geared towards Vision 2020, he wants to come up with a team, there is already a team that is conducting this studies and this studies will determine what capabilities do we need, where can we get this vessel or this submarine, what are the alternatives we have to be able to fund it, or how long will it take," he added.

He said the Navy needs to patrol the country’s territorial waters undetected, thus the need for a submarine.

"The amount may seem impossible for now but definitely we are taking a step forward because the President is (bent on) improving our naval capability. That is why, we are undertaking this study…We are taking a step forward, we are taking a step further," he said.

"It will be better (if we have a submarine) in patrolling our seas because when you have a submarine, it is physically invisible…We will be able to track those violating our maritime laws without them noticing us," said Rodriguez.

The assessment will first be presented to Navy officials before being submitted to the Armed Forces of the Philippine General Headquarters and the Department of National Defense.

Meanwhile, Philippine ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr. is due to receive tomorrow a Hamilton class ship that the country had purchased from the US Coast Guard. The military spent P1.2 billion for it.

Rodriguez said a team from the Navy is now in California to undergo training to operate the ship. They will set sail in July and will probably arrive in August.

The ship may be deployed to Palawan, which should be patrolled because of oil interest in the area.

China has lately been resorting to defiant and audacious acts like claiming its territorial rights over waters around artificial island it has built in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea and unilaterally designating an air defense identification zone in the East China Sea.

While these acts are visible to all, the real front battle line lies deep in the sea where submarines are principal players. This article attempts to provide in-depth descriptions of the real picture of submarines of the Maritime Self-Defense Force and their roles, as little has so far been made known about them.

During the 1998 Rim of the Pacific Exercise off the coast of Hawaii, Adm. Archie Clemens, commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, was dumbfounded as a monitor screen showed that eight vessels of his fleet were â€œattacked and sunkâ€ one after another by a single MSDF submarine.

In the subsequent RIMPAC exercises, MSDF submarines and surface ships have maintained the upper hand. One U.S. naval officer said that those submarines were the last thing he would like to fight, adding that if they got really serious it would become impossible to continue the exercise.

The reason that has led the United States to give such a complimentary evaluation of MSDF submarines is that they perform at such a high level that even the general Japanese public has trouble grasping just how good they are. This ability stems from two factors: one is the subsâ€™ performance characteristics that are superb even by global standards and the other is the high levels of training that their crews go through.

At present, MSDF submarines are built by two firms ” Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, both boasting the highest technological standards in the world. Mitsubishi excels in welding skills. The welding skills used for nuclear reactors are also used for submarines. Kawasaki is known for its expertise in reducing vibrations. Silence is essential in preventing submarines from being detected by the enemy.

The high levels of training that MSDF submarine crews have been given should be viewed in a historical perspective. The central headquarters of both the U.S. Navy in Japan and the MSDF are located in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, and MSDF submarines operations are effectively integrated with the U.S. Navy.

During the Cold War, the U.S. Navy entirely entrusted to MSDF submarines the role of watching the movements of Soviet submarines in the Soya Strait between Hokkaido and Sakhalin, the Tsugaru Strait between Honshu and Hokkaido, and the Tsushima Strait between Kyushu and South Korea.

The American reliance on those MSDF submarines stemmed from their excellence in small-turn performance. They are capable of navigating over topographically complicated sea floors with steep uphills, gorges and tangled sea currents in pitch-dark conditions, usually moving at a speed of 5 knots. Today, MSDF submarines can trace every movement of Chinese naval vessels, including subs, from their port departure to every point of their routes, by utilizing an analysis of information sent from U.S. reconnaissance satellites as well as of radio waves.

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the MSDF had 16 submarines and deployed three each in the Soya, Tsugaru and Tsushima Straits with the remaining seven under repair or engaged in training exercises. Lately though, with the rise of Chinese naval power, many of the MSDF submarines are being shifted to waters around the Nansei Islands (the island chain between Kyushu and Taiwan). The MSDF, which now has 18 submarines, plans to raise the number to 22 by 2018.

Critical areas of the MSDF submarines activities aimed at China are the Tsushima Strait, the Miyako Strait between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island, and the Osumi Strait off the southern tip of Kyushu, each of which constitutes a passageway through which Chinese naval vessels must pass to move from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

A high degree of confidentiality is maintained on the whereabouts of each submarine. The crew members are not allowed to tell their families where they are going or how long they will be away. It is only about once a year, if at all, that an MSDF patrol aircraft or surface ship detects any of the MSDF submarines. And such thoroughgoing confidentiality is highly appreciated by the U.S. Navy.

Moreover, the MSDF submarine crew members possess outstanding skills for detecting the position and movement of enemy vessels by analyzing and processing the sounds emanating from them. The subs sonar equipment, including a towed array sonar trailing behind a submarine for several hundred meters, has the capability to detect sounds coming from a vessel up to 80 km away.

Each submarine is staffed with a crew of about 70, all of whom have passed severe psychological aptitude and air pressure resistance tests. Since their mission calls for a long stay in a completely sealed space, they must be able to cooperate with their colleagues and cope with stress.

Some time ago, Adm. Wu Shengli, commander of the Chinese People Liberation Army Navy, told a high-ranking Self-Defense Forces officer that his navy was aiming to become a blue-water navy, meaning that it would become capable of operating across the deep waters of open oceans. In the 1990s, China was known to have only a brown-water navy, which can operate only in rivers and coastal areas. True to Wus words, China has since been endeavoring to expand its areas of operation into the Pacific.

The East China Sea, where MSDF submarines are deployed, has long stretches of continental shelves, making the average depth only 180 meters, and some areas only 50 meters. That is why China now looks to the South China Sea, where waters are 3,000 to 4,000 meters deep in a number of areas, and has concentrated its state-of-the-art submarines in the South Sea Fleet.

That has led the Japanese Defense Ministry to keep an eye on the 150-km-wide Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines, which could be used by Chinese submarines as a gateway to the Pacific, which in turn could rapidly increase confrontation with MSDF submarines around the Bonins and other Japanese islands in the Pacific.

The capabilities of MSDF submarines today far surpass those of their Chinese counterparts. But an MSDF officer has warned that if China secretly obtains advanced technologies from various countries and combines them like a jigsaw puzzle, the day may come when Chinese submarines will be on a par with those of the MSDF.

A high-ranking government official has said, meanwhile, that with the passage of the security legislation pushed by the Abe administration, the Self-Defense Forces now have the authority to use weapons to protect U.S. forces during joint patrols or to even exercise the right to collective self-defense.

But unlike most major powers of the world, Japan effectively does not have rules of engagement, which define the circumstances, conditions, degree and manner in which the use of force may be permitted. This situation, a direct result of the laziness on the part of politicians, is forcing the MSDF submarines and their crews to sail in pitch-dark waters bearing the consequences of politicians laziness.

This is an abridged translation of an article from the November issue of Sentaku, a monthly magazine covering political, social and economic scenes.

The 4,100 tonne (when submerged) vessel, which has been named Sekiryu with pennant number 508, was handed over on 13 March in a ceremony held at KHI's facilities in Kobe.

The SSK is the fourth Souryu-class boat to be built by KHI, and was first laid down in March 2013. The boat was subsequently launched by the shipbuilder in November 2015.

According to Jane's Fighting Ships, the Souryu class features a length of 84 m, a beam of 9.1 m, and a hull draught of 8.5 m. The platform, which is powered by two Kawasaki 12V 25/25 diesel engines, and four Kawasaki Kockums V4-275R Stirling air-independent propulsion (AIP) engines, has a top speed of 20 kt when submerged, and 12 kt when surfaced.

The Souryu class is equipped with six 533 m bow tubes that can fire the Japanese-developed Type 89 heavyweight torpedo. The boats are also capable of deploying the UGM-84C Harpoon medium-range anti-ship missile against surface targets. Each vessel has also been equipped with underwater countermeasure launchers.

The JMSDF currently operates a fleet of seven other Souryu-class SSKs, four of which were built by another Japanese shipbuilder, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). Funding for a 12th boat was approved under Japan's fiscal year 2016 budget, and the country is expected to operate a fleet of 12 Souryu-class submarines by 2021.

Japanese shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has launched the 10th Soryu-class diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK) for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the company said in a press statement.The 10th Soryu-class submarine for the JMSDF was launched by Japanese shipbuilder KHI on 6 November. (KHI)The 10th Soryu-class submarine for the JMSDF was launched by Japanese shipbuilder KHI on 6 November. (KHI)

The 84 m-long boat, which has been named Shoryu (with pennant number SS 510), was launched on 6 November in a ceremony held at KHI’s facilities in Kobe. It is the fifth submarine of the class to be built by KHI, with the other five having been built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Shoryu was laid down in January 2015 and is expected to enter service with the JMSDF in 2019.

The ninth of the class, Seiryu, was launched in October 2016 and is expected to be commissioned next year.

According to Jane's Fighting Ships , the Soryu class has a beam of 9.1 m, a hull draught of 8.4 m, and a displacement of 2,947 tonnes when surfaced and of 4,100 tonnes when submerged. Powered by two Kawasaki 12V 25/25 diesel engines and four Kawasaki Kockums V4-275R Stirling air-independent propulsion (AIP) engines, each of the platforms has a top speed of 20 kt when submerged and of 12 kt when surfaced.

The Soryu class is equipped with six 533 mm bow tubes that can fire the Japanese-developed Type 89 heavyweight torpedo. The boats are also capable of deploying the UGM-84C Harpoon medium-range anti-ship missile against surface targets. Each boat has also been equipped with two underwater countermeasure launchers.